befriending

present participle of befriend

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of befriending Holmes invited documentarians to capture the Theranos founder’s last few days of freedom before going to prison (and eventually befriending Jen Shah/shunning Ghislaine Maxwell). — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026 Gigi had joined Hollis’ girls’ weekend after befriending her online out of complicated guilt over her affair with Matthew. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 Yes, many passengers on these upscale brief sailings enjoy a drink or two, but befriending a bartender isn’t the mission. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 15 July 2026 Henrietta also had a particular fondness for befriending young women, and disseminating scientific works and sharing knowledge with them. — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 Living in Rio de Janeiro, Luiza dreams of being an artist, eventually befriending a local graffiti group. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 16 June 2026 Utterback, who’d just gotten married and bought a house in Omaha, instead devoted himself to learning on his own, poring over books, making regular trips to Japan, and befriending masters of the craft. — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Palmer-Tomkinson was friends with both William and Prince Harry, befriending them in childhood. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 May 2026 Conrad Weiser was a Pennsylvania German who had roamed the frontier for decades, learning the Indian languages and befriending Indian leaders, including some who encountered Washington in Ohio. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriending
Verb
  • Another day, another instance of Vicki saying something insane about a woman whose only crime was joining her show.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • While star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brothers won’t join him on the Miami Heat’s roster, former Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Vin Baker is joining the two-time NBA MVP in Miami.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Even though most pilgrims traveling to Lourdes each year come from France — 42%, according to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes — many visitors from Eastern Europe are expected to come and greet Leo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This interest in new talent doesn’t come only from audiences, but it is also shared by the high-profile executives travelling into town for the festival’s highly prestigious industry sidebar, the Zurich Summit.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Befriending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriending. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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